Los Angeles Angels Prospect Report | Mark Sappington Tops This Week's Prospect Hotlist

[AngelsWin.com]

Angels Prospect Mark Sappington is all smiles this season with the IE 66ers

 

AngelsWin.com Prospect Hotlist 

By Scott Stedman, AngelsWin.com Minor League Reporter

 

1. Mark Sappington, RHP, Inland Empire 66ers

Past 10 Days: 2-0, 0 Saves, 1.59 ERA, 11.1 IP, 10 H, 3 BB, 11 K, 1.15 WHIP

Overall: 3-0, 0 Saves, 1.59 ERA, 22.2 IP, 17 H, 9 BB, 23 K, 1.15 WHIP, .205 BAA

 

What’s Up: In his chat with AngelsWin, Angels Scouting Director Ric Wilson lauded Sappington as a player who, "has big stuff and... loves to learn." Those two qualities have lined up for Sappington to start the 2013 campaign as he continues to dominate High-A hitters.  The strikeout numbers (9K/9) speak for themselves, and those coupled with Sappington's ability to keep runners off base have have allowed the big right-hander to have an extremely impressive start to the year.  Sappington's fastball sits in the mid 90s and he can pump it up to 98 MPH in short bursts. The 6'5" 22-year-old also features a sharp slider and a change up that is much improved.  If Sappington continues to  dominate High-A ball, look for the team to jump him to Double-A mid-season.

 

2. Reid Scoggins, RHP, Burlington Bees

Past 10 Days: 0-0, 0 Saves, 1.50 ERA, 6 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 K, 0.50 WHIP

Overall: 0-0, 0 Saves, 1.00 ERA, 9 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 11 K, 0.78 WHIP, .129 BAA

 

What’s Up: The Angels made a substantial move with Scoggins this year, converting him to a high-potential starting pitcher after a successful year as a closer.  Based on the numbers thus far, the move has worked better than anyone could have expected.  While Scoggins' fastball has ticked down all the way to the mid 90s, his control and command have been much better.  With this move to the rotation, the sky is the limit for Scoggins as his secondary pitches continue to improve.  Of note: His strikeout rate is still ridiculous, so his ability to get the punch-out has not deteriorated since moving to the rotation.

 

3. Pedro Toribio, SS/2B, Burlington Bees

Past 10 Days: 10/22 (.455), 2 Doubles, 1 Triple, 0 HRs, 3 Runs, 6 RBIs, 3 SBs

Overall: .364/.400/.545 with 0 HRs and 3 SBs

 

What’s Up: Pedro Toribio is an interesting case of a prospect who has flown well-under the radar even though his numbers have been consistently good.  A scout I spoke to described Toribio as an very aggressive hitter, plus defender, and plus runner. The scout also told me that Toribio is a high-energy type of player with great baseball instincts, although there are concerns about his body developing.  After 5 years in baseball, he sits at 150 pounds soaking wet.  However as we have seen with Amarista, Altuve and others, body size can be overlooked if the bat is special enough.  Time will tell with Toribio.

 

4. Mike Morin, RHP, Inland Empire 66ers

Past 10 Days: 0-0, 0 Saves, 1.93 ERA, 4.2 IP, 6 H, 0 BB, 6 K,1.29 WHIP

Overall: 0-0, 0 Saves, 1.08 ERA, 8.1 IP, 7 H, 0 BB, 11 K, 0.84 WHIP, .233 BAA

 

What’s Up: Armed with the best change-up in the Angels system according to Ric Wilson, Morin has taken the lead in the 66ers bullpen.  Not only does the 21-year-old Morin have 11 Ks in just 8.1 IP, but he has yet to allow a walk.  Even though his fastball is not on the same level as a Scoggins or Sappington, it is respectable in the low 90s and he complements it with a solid curve. With the Angels lack of depth out of the bullpen, look for Morin to shoot up the depth chart and possibly compete for a spot in the Angels bullpen in 2014.

 

5. C.J. Cron, 1B, Arkansas Travelers

Past 10 Games: 12/39 (.308), 2 Doubles, 0 Triple, 2 HR, 3 Runs, 6 RBIs, 0 SB

Overall: .305/.359/.441 with 1 HRs and 4 SBs

 

What’s Up: Rounding out AngelsWin's Prospect Hotlist is former 1st round pick C.J. Cron.  The power has yet to come for Cron, but he is one of the only players on the team succeeding at the dish.  By now I think most of us have heard the scouting report on Cron: light-tower power, solid hit tool, but concerns over his plate discipline and lack of a real defensive position.  With Pujols and Trumbo seemingly blocking his road to the show, Cron will really have to hit, and he can, or else he will become trade bait.  Either way, Cron's potential with the bat could make him a valuable piece for all 30 teams.

 

Affiliate Reports

 

Salt Lake Bees:  The Bees are currently tied in first place in the Pacific Coast League with a record of 10-7.  Led by the veteran presence of Chris Snyder, Jimmy Swift and Matt Shoemaker, Salt Lake has a well-balanced team.  Former Major League All-Stars Bill Hall and Chad Cordero joined the team on Sunday.  Cordero had started the season with Inland Empire.

 

Arkansas Travelers:  Arkansas is in 3rd place in the Texas League North with a mediocre record of 7-9.  With players such as Kaleb Cowart, CJ Cron, Randal Grichuk and Nick Maronde, there is no doubt that this team will turn around soon.  Of note, relievers Daniel Tillman and Michael Cisco have maintained a solid bullpen for the Travs'.

 

Inland Empire 66ers: With a record of 8-10, the 66ers are currently in 4th place in the California League South.  The team has stayed afloat due to the starting rotation which consists of Mark Sappington, Austin Wood, Eswarlin Jimenez, Kramer Sneed and Dan Reynolds.  The offense outside of Alex Yarbrough and Eric Stamets has struggled.

 

Burlington Bees: The Burlington Bees have struggled out of the gate, with a 6-9 record, good for 7th place.  Like the 66ers, virtually the only offense produced has been by two players - Pedro Toribio and Kyle Johnson.  An interesting note:  Cameron Bedrosian has been converted to a reliever after failing to come back from Tommy John surgery as a starter.

[Chuck]

Our interview last season with Mark Sappington. 

 

Our interview with Michael Roth last season. 

 

Our interview with C.J. Cron last season.

 

We'll catch up with Scroggins and Toribio sometime this season. 

[TroutField]

Good to see some high ceiling arms making the list, if Saopington and Wood can learn to control their pitches they will be great to have in our depleted system. Another year or two and our farm system should be looking much better.

[Chuck]

If Sappington and Wood can emerge this season, along with what I've seen from Michael Roth, the Angels farm system just got a lot better. I also like Schugel and black beard in AAA for back of the rotation guys. Another guy to keep an eye on is Mike Piazza. I've been impressed with him.

[Angel Oracle]

Are we seeing another later emerging pitcher, like with Richards?

Future (2015) rotation?

Weaver, Richards, Wilson, Sappington, and Schugel?

Only 2/5 of the rotation making any kind of salary

[Chuck]

Are we seeing another later emerging pitcher, like with Richards?

Future (2015) rotation?

Weaver, Richards, Wilson, Sappington, and Schugel?

Only 2/5 of the rotation making any kind of salary

 

You may see Austin Wood in there before Schugel. 

[Dave Saltzer]

Good report Scott! Thanks for the writeup. As I said in the intro to the Top-50 list, we have talent in the system. Overall, we are weak, but we have some talent, especially at the lower levels.

[Scott34]

You may see Austin Wood in there before Schugel. 

 

Yep.  Don't sleep on Eswarlin Jimenez, either.

[Chuck]

From Baseball America...

 

11. Mark Sappington, rhp, Angels

 

Team: high Class A Inland Empire (California)

Age: 22.

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.73, 2 GS, 12 1/3 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 12 SO

The Scoop: After posting a 5.15 ERA in the Pioneer League, Sappington was expected to take his all elbows-and-knees delivery to the Midwest League. Instead the Angels challenged him with a spot in the California League and he’s responded by showing he can control his plus stuff, which includes a mid-90s fastball with good sink.

[Dave Saltzer]

The 66ers have several good pitchers this year. Mike Morin, Sappington, and Wood are just a few worth making the drive out there.

[Angel Oracle]

I'm just hoping that Wood gets his command cleaned up.    The stuff is certainly there.

[Blarg]

Sap had another very solid outing against a good hitting team the Jet Hawks. He is now 4-0 and rumored to be heading to AA soon.

[Scott34]

Another dominant start by Sappington.

 

7 IP 3 H 1 ER 2 BB 6 K

 

1.73 ERA, 40 Ks in 41.2 IP.  He really should be in AA soon.

[Tyler]

Call him up to the Angels.

[rafibomb]

Really looking forward to watching the development of Sappington. Also hoping R.J. Alvarez plays well enough to shoot up the organizational depth chart!

[Second Base]

I remember when Sapp was drafted hearing about how raw he was and that he was a gamble destined for the bullpen.  Still early in the game but it certainly seems as though the Angels saw something there that perhaps others did not.  Especially is Sapp is looking like he'll make the jump to AA in his first year. 

[Angel Oracle]

The bigger emphasis on college pitchers is huge, given the dearth of pitching prospects otherwise.

[rafibomb]

Listening in on Sapp's start today

[Stradling]

Listening in on Sapp's start today

How's it going?

[Scott34]

Not a great start.

5 ip 2 er 3 bb 4 k

The walks will always haunt. At least he battled to get through 5.

[rafibomb]

Many other bright spots though

 

Yarbrough with a 4-hit game

R.J. Alvarez with 1 perfect inning and a K

Mike Morin with  2 perfect innings and 2 K's

Ty Kelley with 1 perfect inning and a K

 

Would love to see Alvarez, Morin and Kelley work their way up to Anaheim. Our bullpen can definitely use them!